Tether Lock

ABSTRACT

A retractor for an anti-theft display includes a rotatable locking member that may hold the retractor&#39;s spool in fixed position against further rotation. The retractor&#39;s spool carries an anti-theft tether that normally extends or retracts as a tethered product is lifted to and from a retail display. The locking member holds the tether in fixed position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to retail security or anti-theft devices for marketing consumer products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is common to display consumer electronics (cell phones, tablet devices, etc.) in retail stores by mounting them to posts or similar structures on display countertops. The hand-held is typically tethered to the display. One common form of tethering involves cable reels or “retractors.”

The present disclosure relates to a means for locking a retractor in place, from free rotation, while the retractor's cable or tether is retracted. Retractors in the anti-theft industry are often spring-loaded so that they naturally or automatically pull the cable back into the retractor's housing, after a consumer lifts and returns a tethered hand-held to and from the display. Sometimes, however, the retailer wants the tether “locked down” from extension from the retractor. Because the tether may be the only physical attachment between the product and a display base, an extended tether offers something that is easy to cut by a thief in the store. Locking the tether in retracted mode keeps the product close to the base, but with the tether shielded or in a wound condition such that it is not easy to access for cutting.

As described below, the present disclosure provides a lock-down mechanism that accomplishes the above function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure involves a retractor for an anti-theft display that can be locked into a fixed position that prevents rotation of the retractor. The retractor can be locked at any point of extension or retraction (i.e., extension or retraction of the anti-theft tether that is part of the retractor).

The retractor comprises a spool apparatus that carries the anti-theft tether. The spool apparatus normally has an internal tether spool that rotates freely in either clockwise or counter-clockwise directions. The spool apparatus includes a portion with a circular periphery that rotates in response to winding or unwinding movement of the tether.

The retractor further includes a rotatable lock member that is carried by the spool apparatus. The lock member may rotate between “lock” or “unlock” positions. The lock member carries a projecting portion that is shaped and positioned relative to the circular periphery of the spool apparatus, in a manner so that the projecting portion mechanically engages with the circular periphery, when the lock member is rotated into the “lock” position.

In one form, the circular periphery consists of a uniform distribution of teeth. The projecting portion described above has a point that engages with the teeth, when the lock member is in “lock.”

Mechanical engagement of the lock member with the circular periphery prevents winding or unwinding of the tether. Further details of the foregoing summary are described below, which should be taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like reference numerals and letters refer to like parts throughout the various views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded, pictorial view of a retractor mechanism and shows the location of a lock-down arm relative to the retractor;

FIG. 2 is an unexploded view of the retractor portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an unexploded view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view like FIG. 2, but taken from a different angle;

FIG. 5 is a view like FIG. 4, but shows the lock-down arm flipped up for disengaging or unlocking the retractor's tether;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the retractor shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, but with the outer cover removed, and the lock-down arm flipped down, for locking the retractor;

FIG. 7 is a view like FIG. 6, but shows the lock-down arm disengaged;

FIG. 8 is an unexploded side view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 1, and also illustrates mounting of the mechanism to the underside of a shelf;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the mechanism shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 8, and 9.

BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

Referring briefly to the drawings, arrow 10 generally refers to a retractor that is used in connection with a retail anti-theft display. In this case, the retractor 10 has a spool 12 for winding or unwinding the retractor's tether cable 22 (for tether retraction or extension). The spool 12 has teeth around its outer periphery (best seen at 14 in FIGS. 6 and 7).

A lever or lock arm 16 is mounted for rotation about a pin 18 (described later). While the lock arm 16 may take many forms, it has a projecting portion 20 that is sized to engage a lock-down mechanism (described later) with the teeth 14 on the spool 12, when the lock arm 16 is “flipped down.”

Referring now to FIGS. 4-7, the lock arm 16 may be flipped back and forth between the position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively, depending on whether it is desired to lock or unlock the spool 12 and cable 22. In essence, the lock arm 16 is designed to have a type of camming/locking action, further described below. When in the position shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, for example, the lock arm 16 is flipped “down” so that the teeth 14 on spool 12 are engaged. This, in turn, locks the spool against rotation and holds the retractor cable 22 in place, locking it from further extension or retraction.

As mentioned above, it is likely the lock arm 16 will be used when the cable 22 is fully retracted, to hold the product (not shown) against a mounting shelf (item 24 in FIG. 8) or a product-mounting base (not shown) that is on the upper surface 26 of the shelf 24. Flipping the lock arm 16 the other way is shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, for unlocking the spool 12 and allowing the cable 22 to extend and retract normally.

Directing attention back to FIG. 1, the specific structural features of the lock-down mechanism will be further described. First, the retractor 10 is modified to include an outer housing 28 that contains the parts for enabling the lock arm 16 to lock or unlock the retractor 10. Specifically, a rod 30 extends through housing 28. A first part 32 is on one end of rod 30. Another part 38 is on the other end of the rod 30. Springs 34, 36 surround the rod 30. The second part 38 can slide back and forth on the region indicated by arrow 39 in FIG. 1. It has a flat surface 40, and a second surface portion 42. The latter carries an array of teeth 44 (see, FIG. 6). The lock arm 16 is connected to the end of rod 30 by pin 18 (via bore 41 in the rod).

During the locking action, as the lock arm 16 is pivoted into the position shown in FIG. 6, the projecting portion 20 of the lock arm 16 pushes directly against surface 40, pushing and sliding it inward on rod 30, against the bias of one of the springs 34, 36. This, in turn, moves and engages the teeth 44 on the second part 38 with the teeth 14 on the spool 12 (as shown in FIG. 6). At the same time, the lock arm 16 is pulling the end of the rod 30 through an opening in part 38. This also pulls the other part 32 inward (on the other end of rod 30), also against the bias of one of the springs 34, 36. Like part 38, the other part 32 has an array of teeth 46 that engage with the spool teeth 14, but on the other side of the spool 12. As a consequence, the spool 12 is caught within a clamping jaw, created by natural inward movement of parts 38 and 32, caused by the camming action of lock arm 16.

When the lock arm 16 is flipped back or open (the position shown in FIGS. 5 and 7), the projecting portion 20 on the lock arm 16 rotates away from the flat surface 40, on the second part 38. This, in turn, allows the compressive forces in springs 34, 36 to push parts 38 and 32, and their respective teethed portions 44, 46 outwardly and away from wheel 14, thus disengaging with the teeth 14 on the wheel, and allowing the spool 12 to rotate normally for cable extension and retraction.

The foregoing is not intended to limit the scope of patent coverage. Patent coverage is to be limited only by the following patent claim or claims, the interpretation of which to be made by the established doctrines of claim interpretation. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A retractor for an anti-theft display, comprising: a spool apparatus for carrying an anti-theft tether, said spool apparatus including a portion with a circular periphery that rotates in response to winding or unwinding movement of said anti-theft tether; and a rotatable lock member carried by the spool apparatus, said lock member having a projecting portion that is shaped and positioned relative to said circular periphery in a manner so that said projecting portion mechanically engages said circular periphery when said lock member is rotated to a certain position, to lock said circular periphery against further rotation, and thereby prevent winding or unwinding movement of said anti-theft tether. 